F-bomb drops into mainstream dictionary

'Some of the new words this year provide colorful images'

Published: 08/14/2012 at 1:47 PM

(LATIMES) — Do you need to reach for the dictionary to double-check the definition of “F-Bomb” and “sexting”? Probably not. But now you could if you wanted to.

The Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary has added “F-Bomb” and “sexting” to its list of new dictionary entries for 2012 along with the likes of “mash-up,” “aha moment,” “cloud computing” and “earworm.” (An earworm is a song or tune you just can’t get our of your head.)

The dictionary’s editors pride themselves on monitoring the evolution of language, and the creative new terms that seemingly overnight become part of the lexicon.